Asked by: Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the implications for his Department's policy on Turkey's bid to become a member of the EU are of the result of the recent Turkish referendum.
Answered by Alan Duncan
Turkey continues to be a Candidate Country of the EU. The UK remains of the view that the EU accession process is important to delivering security, stability and prosperity in Turkey. We encourage Turkey to continue to engage constructively with the accession process. As and when candidate countries have met the requirements for accession in full, it will be for those countries and EU members at the time to decide on membership. That point remains some way off.
Asked by: Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Government of Paraguay on recent gang violence in that country; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Alan Duncan
British Embassy officials in Asuncion regularly discuss security issues with the Paraguayan authorities.
Asked by: Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on South Korea's impeached President Park Geun-hye.
Answered by Lord Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
We are aware of the decision of South Korea's Constitutional Court. We are monitoring the ongoing election campaign. We remain steadfast in our desire for a close partnership with the Republic of Korea and will work together to continue building on our already strong bilateral relationship.
Asked by: Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to protect Sub-Saharan migrants trying to reach Europe against the risk of their being sold as slaves or hostages in Libya.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
UK aid programmes in source and transit countries increasingly focus on jobs and livelihoods, aiming to reduce the need for migrants to leave. We are also targeting people smuggling gangs.
The conflict makes Libya a difficult country in which to operate. Nonetheless the UK has committed over £12.4million since October 2015. This funding includes a programme partnering with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to improve living conditions for men and women in detention centres and assist the voluntary repatriation for migrants.
The UK is also supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in providing humanitarian relief and immediate lifesaving assistance to vulnerable populations in Libya.
Asked by: Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the security situation in Sudan and South Sudan.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Despite some improvements, the security situation in Sudan remains concerning; particularly in Darfur and the Two Areas of Blue Nile and South Kordofan. We continue to urge the Government of Sudan and the opposition to reach an agreement on a cessation of hostilities to allow for humanitarian access. We are deeply troubled by the fighting and displacement in South Sudan, particularly in the regions of Greater Upper Nile and the Equatorias. The UK continues to pursue every opportunity to call on all parties to cease hostilities, allow access for humanitarian workers and engage in genuine dialogue.
Asked by: Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 December 2016 to Question 57916, on Syria: armed conflict, what response his Department has received from Russian and Iranian ambassadors following the meeting on 15 December 2016.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
When the Foreign Secretary summoned the Russian and Iranian ambassadors on 15 December, he made clear that; "both Russia and Iran have failed to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, specifically by failing to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians during the months when eastern Aleppo was besieged." The Iranian Foreign Ministry responded that the statements issued by the Foreign Secretary were "unrealistic, unconsidered and destructive". On 19 December, Russia joined the UN Security Council members in voting in favour of UN Security Council Resolution 2328 on the humanitarian situation in Aleppo. The resolution requested the UN to monitor evacuations from Eastern Aleppo and demanded all parties provide the UN with safe, immediate and unimpeded access. The UK continues to urge Russia and Iran to use their influence to implement fully the terms of this UNSCR as well as the ceasefire deal they announced on 30 December
Asked by: Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to ensure the safety of the residents of Aleppo who were evacuated from that city on 15 December 2016.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The UK was active in the UN Security Council in the adoption of a Resolution on 19 December on humanitarian protection. Our top priority in Syria is the protection of civilians, especially in Aleppo, given the relentless siege there. On 15 December the Foreign Secretary summoned the Russian and Iranian ambassadors to make clear our profound concern about events in Aleppo and to urge them to allow full UN access to ensure civilian protection.
Asked by: Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to protect children in Yemen.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We are very concerned by the impact the current conflict is having on children in Yemen. The UK is the fourth largest humanitarian donor to the Yemen crisis having pledged a total of £100m this year. This is helping to supply Yemenis with food, medical supplies, water, and emergency shelter. An enduring cessation of hostilities and peace talks remain a top priority in order to bring stability to Yemen and alleviate the suffering.